Golden State Warriors' Klay Thompson (11) puts up the game winning shot against Indiana Pacers' George Hill (3) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 4, 2014, in Indianapolis. Golden State defeated Indiana 98-96. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Photo: Darron Cummings, Associated Press

Golden State Warriors' Klay Thompson (11) puts up the game winning...

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Klay Thompson is beaming after his game-winner.

Photo: Darron Cummings, Associated Press

Klay Thompson is beaming after his game-winner.

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Klay Thompson swished his game-winning jumper over George Hill with less than a second left.

Photo: Brian Spurlock, Reuters

Klay Thompson swished his game-winning jumper over George Hill with...

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Mar 4, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; From left to right Indiana Pacers general manager Donnie Walsh, owner Herb Simon, and president Larry Bird watch the game against the Golden State Warriors at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Golden State defeats Indiana 98-96. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Indiana Pacers' Paul George (24) is fouled by Golden State Warriors' Klay Thompson (11) as he goes up for a dunk during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 4, 2014, in Indianapolis. Golden State defeated Indiana 98-96. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Photo: Darron Cummings, Associated Press

Indiana Pacers' Paul George (24) is fouled by Golden State...

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Indiana Pacers' Paul George (24) and Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry (30) eye a loose ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 4, 2014, in Indianapolis. Golden State defeated Indiana 98-96. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Photo: Darron Cummings, Associated Press

Indiana Pacers' Paul George (24) and Golden State Warriors' Stephen...

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Golden State Warriors' Klay Thompson is defended by Indiana Pacers' C.J. Watson (32) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 4, 2014, in Indianapolis. Golden State defeated Indiana 98-96. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Photo: Darron Cummings, Associated Press

Golden State Warriors' Klay Thompson is defended by Indiana Pacers'...

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Golden State Warriors' Jermaine O'Neal, back, puts up a shot against Indiana Pacers' Roy Hibbert during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 4, 2014, in Indianapolis. Golden State defeated Indiana 98-96. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

INDIANAPOLIS - It felt as if the Warriors' season was teetering on the outcome of Tuesday night's game against the Pacers.

Win, and the Warriors would become the only Western Conference team to beat both Miami and Indiana on the road - making a bold statement about being a legitimate contender.

Lose, and the Warriors would have blown fourth-quarter leads in consecutive games - dropping within a game of ninth-place Memphis and missing the playoffs altogether.

It was his night, so Klay Thompson explained which way the Warriors' season is heading.

"That's why we play: to fight, to score, to win," the third-year guard said after draining a turnaround, baseline 12-footer with 0.6 seconds on the clock to give the Warriors a 98-96 victory at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. "That's when basketball is at its best, possession by possession with teams swinging huge blows. We got the last one."

The Warriors led by as many as 13 points in the fourth quarter and were still ahead 94-82 when Harrison Barnes scored off a Thompson assist with 5:46 remaining. After four reserves rode most of Thompson's 16-point fourth quarter to gain that lead, however, Stephen Curry checked back into the game and committed two turnovers as the Pacers went on a 12-0 run over the next four minutes to tie it 94-94 on a pair of Paul George free throws.

Another Curry turnover came when he stepped out of bounds with the score tied at the 46-seconds mark, but George missed the potential go-ahead shot with 23.9 remaining. With about four seconds left, Draymond Green threw an entry pass to Thompson, who had posted up George Hill. Thompson had plenty of time to start right, spin back left and rise for the game-winner - with no concern of defensive stopper George coming to help as he was focused on Curry.

"He made every play in the fourth quarter. I owe Klay about seven dinners tonight," said Curry, who finished with 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists, but went scoreless in the fourth when Indiana shifted its focus and guarded him with George. "It was definitely frustrating tonight, when I turned the ball over and put the team in a position that it doesn't want to be in. That is something that I hate, but it's going to make me better. I'm going to keep pushing."

Even with the four-minute meltdown in the fourth quarter, the Warriors (37-24) played one of their most complete games of the season. They got contributions throughout the roster on a night in which they featured lockdown defense and minimal careless turnovers against the league's best defensive unit.

The Warriors have won six of eight since the All-Star break and haven't lost consecutive games since Jan. 20 and 24, when they dropped home games to Indiana and Minnesota. The win over the team with the NBA's best record guaranteed that the Warriors will finish at least .500 on eight of their past 11 road trips of at least three games.

"We know who we are, so it's no surprise," Jackson said. "With all due respect to (Miami and Indiana), when we play our best basketball, we can beat anybody. The problem is: If we don't, we can be beaten by anybody. It's about staying true to the process and not fooling yourself."

The Warriors acted Tuesday as if they had finally figured out that teeter-totter.

Wednesday's game

Of note: The Warriors have lost five straight in Boston, but after winning the teams' first meeting this year, they have a chance to sweep the season series for the first time since 2006-07. ... The Celtics have lost five of six games since the All-Star break. ... Nearly a year after anterior cruciate ligament surgery, Boston point guard Rajon Rondo averaged 15.3 points, 9.9 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.6 steals in February. ... The Celtics will be playing without Avery Bradley (ankle), Kelly Olynyk (toe) and Gerald Wallace (knee).